Method and apparatus for lacing a skein of yarn

ABSTRACT

A method of lacing a skein of yarn comprises: dividing the width of said skein into a plurality of sections in at least one circumferential portion of said skein; forming a pair of air passages which extend serpentine with respect to each said section from one side of said skein transversely to the opposite side thereof, crossing each other between each adjacent two of said sections without interfering with each other; producing a pressure difference between the opposite sides of said passages; and supplying a length of lacing string to said passages so that said string is passed through said passages thereby lacing said skein. Various devices for carrying out the method are also described.

United States Patent Tanno METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LACING A SKEIN OF YARN Primary ExaminerLouis K. Rimrodt Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fidelman, Wolffe, Leitner [75] Inventor: Naoichlro Tanno, Kyoto, Japan & Hiney [73] Assignee: Shimadzu Seisakusho Ltd.,

Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: May 23 1974 A method of lacing a skein of yarn comprises: dividing the width of said skein into a plurality of sections in at PP N03 473,090 least one circumferential portion of said skein; forming a pair of air passages which extend serpentine with 52 us. c1 28/21, 28/72 SP respect to each Said Seem)" from one Side of Said 51 1111.01 B65h 54/62 Skei" transversely to the opposite side thereof Cross- [58] Field of Search 28/21, 72 SP; 206/64 each other between each adjacent two of Said tions without interfering with each other; producing a [56] References Cited pressure difference between the opposite sides of said UNITED STATES PATENTS passages; and supplying a length of lacing string to said passages so that said string is passed through said 3,323.189 6/1967 Hayash1 28/21 passages thereby lacing Said Skein Various devices for 28/2] X carrying out the method are also described. 314351495 4/1969 l-layashi 28/21 19 Claims, 31 Drawing Figures Es-2?) 52 I1 -$ifi 55 60 Ag 66 l \J 55 9 4 PATENTED 3,869,769

SHEET 01 0F 12 PATENTED WW 1 I 75 SHEET UEUF 12 Fig.4c1.

PATENTEB HAR] H975 SHEET OHOF12 PATENTEB MAR] H975 SHEET 05 0F 12 PATENTEB MAR] 1 I975 SHEET UBUF 12 PATENTED MAR] 1 I975 SHEET O70F 12 PATENTEU 3869,7653

SHEET O8UF 12 PATENTEB MARI 1 I975 SHEET USUF 12 PATENTED 1|975 3.869169 SHEET lOUF 12 PATENTEU MAR] 1 I975 SHEET l2UF12 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LACING A SKEIN OF YARN This invention relates to a method and apparatus for lacing a skein or hank of thread or yarn by a string.

As is well known in the art, before the skein or hank of yarn formed on a reeling machine is removed therefrom, the skein is properly laced bya string in order to prevent the yarns forming the skein from being entangled with each other. Various methods and devices are known for lacing the skein of yarn, but they are more or less complicated in construction, and inefficient in operation.

One known lacing device, for example, employs a movable hook member which is moved up and down, and right and left relative to the skein to be lacked, guiding the lacing string through and across sections of the skein thereby to lace the skein. In order to move the hook member in a properly timed relation with feeding of a lacing string, however, the driving mechanism is rather complicated and likely to get out of order.

Therefore, the primary object of the invention is to provide a new and improved method and apparatus for lacing a skein or hank of yarn by a string, which eliminates various defects and difficulties such as mentioned above encountered in the prior art.

The other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wedge-like unit or tooth constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the two components of the tooth shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a part of a skein that has been laced by the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a lacing device of the invention;

FIG. 4a is a fragmentary side view of one example of the mechanism for separating the two tooth components to form a gap therebetween;

FIGS. 5(A) through (D) show the operation of the comb of the lacing device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a device for metering a length of lacing string and supplying the same to the comb of the lacing device;

FIG. 7 is a partially cut-away, somewhat schematic perspective view of a knotter used in the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a detailed side view, in vertical section, of the knotter of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9a through 9e show the operation of the knotter of FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a mechanism for positively removing the knotted ends of the lacing string from the knotter;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a modified form of the tooth used in the lacing device of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a front view of a lacing device employing the teeth of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the comb shown in FIG. 12;

FIGS. 14 through 18 show the operation of a device for withdrawing the opposite ends of the yarn of the skein to be knotted together with the end of the lacing string; I

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of another form of the tooth;

FIG. 20 is a front view of one component of the tooth shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a section taken along line A-A in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a front view of a comb consisting of a plurality of teeth shown in FIG. 19; and

FIG. 23 is a side view of a lacing machine constructed in accordance with the invention.

Now referring in detail to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a skein-dividing wedge-shaped unit or tooth generally designated by U, which comprises a pair of wedge-shaped tooth commponents l and l. The tooth component 1 has a surface 2 which contacts the corresponding surface 2' of the tooth component 2 when the two components are put together to form the unit U as shown in FIG. 1. The two components are separable from each other so that a small gap is formed between the contacting surfaces for the purposes to be described later.

On the surfaces 2 and 2' of the tooth components 1 and 1 there are formed generally Sshaped grooves 3 and 3, respectively, in such a manner that when the two tooth components are put together as shown in FIG. 1, the grooves and the opposed surfaces form a pair of air passages or tunnels P1 and P2 crossing each other like the letter X and each having an inlet and an outlet opening at the opposite sides of the unit U. A separator plate 6 is provided on the contacting surface of one of the two tooth components where the two grooves or passages cross so that the two passages are separated from each other.

Each tooth component 1, 1 has opposite side surfaces, each of which is divided by an interposed recess 5 into an upper portion 4 and a lower portion 4. As shown in FIG. I, if the inlet (or outlet) of one air passage or tunnel opens at one (say, the lower port 4) of the two portions 4 and 4 on one of the two side surfaces, the outlet (or inlet) thereof opens at the other portion (that is, the upper portion 4) on the opposite side face.

The lower end of each tooth component, and consequently that of the unit U, is preferably pointed so as to enable easy dividing of the skein.

The teeth may be made of any suitable material, such as metal or synthetic resin.

Turning to FIG. 4 a lacing device is shown comprising a plurality, say, four skein-dividing nuits or teeth U0, U1, U2 and U3, such as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, arranged side by side within a frame 12 to form a comb, with the side surfaces of each unit in slidable contact with those of the adjacent units. It should be noted that the units U0 and U3 at the opposite ends have their grooves or air passages 3 and 3' not crossed and have not notch 5 in the other lateral surfaces thereof.

In the position of the units or teeth shown in FIG. 5(B), the passages or tunnels 3 and 3 in the four units communicate with each other so that two continuous passages or tunnels P1 and P2 are formed starting from their respective IPl and IP2 so as t extend serpentine partially about the recesses 5", 5' and 5, crossing with each other at points 7 and 7', as far as their respective outlets 0F] and 0P2. It should be noted that the two tunnels P1 and P2 are prevented by means of the separator plate 6 (FIG. 2) from communicating with each other where they cross at points 7 and 7'.

Each of the units Uo U3 is connected to a drive Do D3 so as to be individually reciprocable relative toa skin 8 of yarn to be laced (shown in transverse crosssection) in the direction of an arrow X1 from the retracted or rearward position shown in FIG. 4 to an advance or forward lacing position at which the pointed ends of the units U U3 pierce through the skein as far as the divided sections of the skein are positioned in the recesses 5, 5 and 5" as shown in FIG. 5(B).

The drives Do D3 are fixed to the frame 12 and can be any suitable type of recripocating mechanism such as, for example, an air cylinder supplied from a source 14 of pressurized air.

The frame 12 with the units and the drives thereon is also reciprocable by means of a suitable drive such as an oil cylinder in the direction of an arrow X2 relative to a reeling machine, not shown, on which the skein 8 has been wound.

The frame 12 is further provided with a device 9 for applying a suction or vacuum to the passages P1 and P2 via outlets CPI and 0P2, respectively, so as to suck and draw through the passages the opposite ends of a length of lacing string supplied from a device 13 provided on the opposite side of the frame 12 for the purpose, as will be described in later in detail. A motor 10 drives the device 9. g

An air jet may be provided at the opposite side of the suction device 9, that is, at the side of the inlet IP] and lP2 of the passages so as to replace or assist the suction device 9 to increase the reliability and speed of the lacing operation.

The operation of the apparatus will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5(A) 5(C) as well as FIG. 4. From the position of FIG. 4, first the teeth U1 and U3 (or U0 and U2) and then the other teeth U0 and U2 (or U1 and U3) are moved to their lacing position, so that the skein 8 are divided into three sections 8-1, 8-2 and 8-3 as shown in FIG. 5(B). Then the motor l0 is energized to actuate the suction device 9, so that the suction causes a length of lacing string S supplied by the device 13 to be passed through the passages P1 and P2. To put it in detail, one end S1 of the strong S is sucked into the inlet IP1 and passed through the passage P1 to be drawn out of the outlete 0P1 while the opposite end S2 of the string S is sucked into the inlet 1P1 and passed through the passage P2 to be drawn out of the oulet 0P2, so that one half of the length of the string is passed through one of the passages, say P1, while the other half thereof is passed through the other passage P2.

Then the teeth U1 and U3 (or U0 and U2) and then U0 and U2 (or U1 and U3) are retracted to the rearward positions (FIGS. 5(C) and 5(D). When the teeth are retracted, the two components 1 and l constituting each tooth are separated from each other so that a small gap G is formed between the contacting surfaces 2 and 2 ofthe tooth components. Through this gap the lacing string are removed from the passages P1 and P2 and left behind so as to lie zig-zag or serpentine about the skein sections 8-1, 8-2, and 8-3, crossing each other at points 7 and 7 as shown in FIG. 3 or 5(D). The separator plate 6 is fixed to the tooth component only at its upper edge as at 6' (FIG. 2) and has its lower edge left free, so that the string can easily slip out'of the groove 3'. The two ends S1 and S2 of the lacing string are then knotted together by any suitable knotter as will be described later.

FIG. 4a shows an arrangement for forming the gap between the contacting sufaces 2 and 2 of the two tooth components. To the upper edge of each components there is fixed a' support bar E, E having a cam surface H, H in contact with a follower bar I, I. A spring M pulls the support bars E and E and consequently the two components together. The upper ends of the bars E and E are pivoted to a horizontal bar N secured to the piston rod R of each cylinder Do D3.

When the tooth is lowered to the lacing position, the follower bar I, I engages in the valley V, V of the cam surface H, H so that the spring M brings the two tooth components into close contact with each other. When the tooth is raised a short distance toward the retracted position, the follower bar I, I' rides on the cam surface H, H thereby separating the etwo tooth components from each other against the force of the spring M to form a gapG between the opposed surfaces 2 and 2 of the tooth components.

In the illustrated embodiment, a single length of lacing string is used, but two strings may be used for the same purpose, each to be passed through the two passages. In this case, it is necessary to knot the opposite ends of the strings.

FIG. 6 shows one example of the device 13 for supplying a length of string to be used for lacing. Here, only three units U1 U3 of the lacing device of FIG. 4 are shown and will be collectively referred to as the comb- The device 13 comprises a string-holder-cutter 18 which in turn comprises a stationary holder member 18a, a stationary cutting blade l8b.and a movable cutting blade 18c. The holder-cutter 18 functions to cut a string while holding the cut end thereof as will be described presently.

The holder-cutter 18 is fixed to a frame of the apparatus (not shown) while the comb is movable relative to the holder-cutter18. In the retracted position of the comb shown in FIG. 6, the holder-cutter 18 is positioneda little below the lower inlet IP2 of the passage P2 and holds the cut end of the lacing string S. When the comb is lowered to the lacing position as shown in FIG. 5(B) with the pointed ends of the teeth wedging into the threads of the skein 8, the cutter-holder 18 remains stationary relative to the comb, while releasing the cut end S2 of the string by turning the blade 18c about a pin 19 in the direction of the arrow, so that the holder-cutter comes to be positioned a little above the upper inlet [P1 of the passage P1, with the string from a bobbin 20 passing between the stationary blades 18a, 18b and the opened blade 180. When the next lacing operation is performed, the blade 18c isclosed toholdtj at end of the string which extends from the bottom 20 while simultaneously cutting that end of string which is to be sucked into the passages P1 and P2. Therefore when the comb is returned to the retracted position shown in FIG. 6, the string extends continuously from the bobbin to the cut end S2 held by the holder-cutter.

The device 13 further comprises a string guide which is reciprocable together with the comb relative to the skein 8. The string guide comprises upper and lower guide levers 22 and 23 and an intermediate guide piece 24. The levers 22 and 23 have an outer bifurcated end located adjacent to the upper and lower inlets [P1 and IP2 of the passages P1 and P2, respectively. The levers 22 and 23 are secured to a rotatable shaft 25 so as to be swingable thereabout at the same time.

The device 13 further comprises a metering lever 26 for withdrawing a predeterined length of string form the bobbin 20. The lever 26 has it rear end secured to a rotatable shaft 17 and its forward end formed into a pair of hooks or claws. The lever is swingable about the axis of the shaft 17 between the position shown in FIG. 6 and a position where the hooked end is positioned intermediate the upper and lower guide levers 22 and 23 ready to be engaged with the string extending therebetween. The lever 26 is also reciprocable together with the comb and the string guide relative to the skein 8.

FIG. 6 shows the comb in the retracted position upward away from the skein 8 after having performed a lacing operation thereon, and the metering lever 26 having been turned clockwise about the axis of the shaft 17 with the hooked end thereof withdrawing from the bobbin a required length of lacing string S which extends between the bobbin and the holder-cutter 18, passing through a guide eye 27, the bifurcated end of the upper lever 22, thence the upper claw of the metering lever 26 and then the intermediate guide piece 24 and thence back to the lower claw of the lever 26 and then passing the bifurcated end of the lower guide lever 23 finally to be held by the holder-cutter 18.

For a new skein provided on the reel 28 to be laced, the comb together with the device 13 including the levers 22, 23 and 26 is moved downward into the lacing position as shown in FIG. 5(B), with the holder-cutter 8 having released the lower end S2 of the string.

As previously mentioned, the holder-cutter 18 remains stationary so that when the comb is in the lower lacing position, the holder-cutter 18 is positioned above the upper inlet [P1 of the passage Pl. As suction is applied through the outlets 0P1 of the passages, the shaft is turned counterclockwise in FIG. 6 so as to bring the inlets CPI and 0P2 of the passages P1 and P2 of the comb. At the same time the holder-cutter 18 cuts the string above the upper inlet IPl, whereupon the opposite ends of the string are sucked into the upper and lower inlets IPl and IP2 of the passages P1 and P2, respectively, as the metering lever 26 is turnend cunterclockwise about the axis of the shaft 17. The intermediate guide piece 24 prevents unequala introduction of the string ends into the inlets due to any difference in the suction applied to the passages P1 and P2 through the opposite outlets CPI and 0P2.

When the comb with the device 13 is moved upward to the retracted position, the skein is now laced by the string extending serpentine about the divided sections 8-1, 8-2, and 8-3 of the skein while crossing each other between the adjacent sections (FIG. 5(D)).

As previously mentioned, the opposite ends S1 and S2 of the lacing string S must be knotted. The knot formed may be of any type such as what is called a weavers knot or fishermans knot, and any type of knotter can be employed in accordance with the desired type of knot to be formed.

For reliable and efficient knotting of the opposite ends of the string that has laced the skein, the suction device 9 Fig. 4) may advantageously include a pipe 31 inside which a knotter 32 is disposed as shown in FIG. 7. The pipe 31 extends from a source of suction 33 to adjacent the outlets of the passages when the comb is in the lacing position.

The knotter may comprise a pair of chucks 34 and 34' for holding the cut end of the lacing string at two spaced points thereof, a hooking device F for forming the string end into a knot and a cutter 35 for cutting the excess of the string end at the outer side of the knot formed.

Referring in detail to FIG. 8, the hooking device comp-rises two hooks F1 and F2. The hook F1 is secured to a ring 36 which is rotatable about its own axis and also reciprocable up and down, while the hook F2 is provided inside a hollow, loop-forming cylinder 37 so that the hook F2 is reciprocable up and down. The cylinder 37 is disposed inside the ring 36 so as to project upwardly therefrom and has a horn 37' for engagement with the string ends S1 and S2 which are shown as a single line designated by S for simplicity of illustration. From the position shown in FIG. 8 the hook F1 starts rotation about the cylinder 37 and after passing the horn 37' the hook F 1 begins to move upward while continuing its rotation. At the same time, also the hook F2 is moved upward so as to be ready to engage with the string S which the hook Fl has brought around the cylinder (FIG.

The chuck 34 securely holds the string at that side thereof which is nearer to the skein, while the chuck 34 holds the string at the opposite side thereof beyond the hooking device Fl relatively loosely so as to permit slipping of the string through the chuck 34.

A pair of U-shaped guide members 39 and 40 which are movable up and down cooperate with a pair of guide plates 41 and 42 to bring the yarn passed therethrough into engagement with the hook F1. The shape of the U-shaped members 39 and 40 preferably conforms to the configuration of the inner surface of the pipe 31. A lever 43 is provided for withdrawing the cut end of the string out of the chuck 34' after a loop I of the string is formed around the cylinder 37. A hook 44 is provided for tightening the knot that has been formed.

As shown in FIG. 7, the two ends S1 and S2 of the lacing string are sucked into the pipe 31, within which the string ends are passed through the U-shaped guide members 39 and 40. As the members are retracted (or moved downward in FIGS. 8 and 9), the string ends (which is shown as a single line S) are engaged by the hook F1 and held by the chucks 34 and 34' (FIG. 9a).

The cutter 35 then operates to cut the excess of the string end S (FIG. 9b) which is sucked and eliminated.

As the ring 36 is rotated, the hook F1 carries the string around the hollow cylinder 37 and when the hook Fl has passed the horn 37 the hook is moved upward relative to the hollow cylinder so that the string engaged by the horn 37 extends therefrom substantially diametrically across the cylinderse on the upper end thereof. At the same time, the hook F2 is also moved upward to project above the to of the cylinder so as to be ready to engage with the string extending across the top end of the cylinder (FIG. 90).

When the hook F1 has completed one revolution about the cylinder 37, the hook F2 engaged with the string S is moved downward and at the same time the lever 43 is moved upward thereby pulling the end of the string out of the chuck 34' while the hook 44 is moved downward. As the hook F2 is moved downward, the end of the string slipped out of the chuck 34' is passed through the loop l to form a knot K as the loop is being tightened and removed out of the horn 37 by the downward movement of the hook 44 (FIGS. 9d and 9e). The knot need not be very tight for the present purpose.

When the laced skein is removed from on the reel 28, it often happens that the knotted ends of the lacing string is caught by the knotter and not smoothly released therefrom.

FIG. 10 shows a device which is capable of positively removing the knotted end of the lacing string out of the knotter and detecting any hindrance to smooth removal of the knotted ends of the lacing string to give a warning.

The string that has laced the skein 8 is designated by S having its knotted ends S1 and S2 in the suction pipe 31 in which the knotter is provided. It is required that the knotted ends of the string should now be removed from inside the pipe.

A remover lever 50 extending across the width of the skein is rotatable at a pivot 51 for at least 90 degrees in the direction of the arrow to the dotted line position. This rotation of the lever is caused by a cam 52 which is actuated in ganged relation with the return movement of the comb with its associated elements to their original retracted position after completing a lacing operation.

When actuated, the cam 52 is rotated about a pivot 53 in the directionof the arrow, whereupon a follower 54 and a shaft 55 to which the follower is secured, and a cam 56 secured to the shaft 55 are returned counterclockwise in the direction shown by the respective arrows. Another cam 57 is vcarried on the shaft 55 so as to be rotatable relative thereto. The cam 57 has its one end baised counterclockwise by a spring 58 and its opposite end urged against an upright tongue 59 formed on the cam 56, so that as the cam 56 is turned counterclockwise, the cam 57 is simultaneously turned in the same direction.

As the cam 57 is turned, a rod 60 connected to the cam is pulled in the direction of the arrow, so that a lever 61 and a shaft 62 secured thereto areturned counterclockwise. A linkage comprising two links 63 and 64 connects the lower end of the shaft 62 and the rear end of the remover lever 50. As can be easily seen, when the cam 52 is turned clockwise, the lever 50 is also turned clockwise about the pivot 51 so that the hook end of the lever engages with the lacing string thereby to pull out the knotted ends thereof from inside the pipe 31.

If the lacing string has its knotted ends caught or otherwise retained in the pipe or elsewhere, the rotation of the remover lever 50 is blocked, with resultingjamming of the links 63, 64, the shaft 62, the lever 61, the rod 60 and the cam 57. However, since the cam 57 is not fixed to the shaft. 55 but rotatable relative thereto, the cam 56 alone is further turned counterclockwise, so that a cam valley appears between the cam surfaces 56' and 57. A microswitch 65 has its actuator lever 65 normally in contact with either the cam surface 56' or 57 and is kept opened.

When' the actuator 65 comes into contact with the cam valley that has appeared between the cam surfaces 56 and 57 in the above-mentioned manner, the switch 65 is closed to actuate a warning device 66 such as a buzzer or a lamp.

In lacing a skein of yarn, it is advantageous to have the opposite ends of .the yarn constituting the skein knotted together with the ends of the lacing string. The opposite ends of the yarn constituting the skein means the starting and terminating ends of the yarn that has been wound into the skein on a reel.

FIG. 11 shows a skein-dividing unit or tooth U' suitable for use in knottingtheopposite ends'of the skein yarn together with those of the lacing string. The unit U is of substantially the same structure as the previously described unit or tooth U, except that an additional groove 70 is formed on the contacting surface 2 of the tooth component 1. The groove 70 is generally straight and extends across the width of the component and forms a third passage P3 when the tooth components l and 1' are put together.

FIG. 12 shows a lacing device wherein the comb comprises four units or teeth U'o U'3 generally constructed in accordance with the arrangement of FIG. 11. It should be noted that in the unit U0 the first and third passages P1 and P3 join into a single passage, the outlet of which joins the outlet of the second passage P2 as shown at OP in FIG. 22. The other component parts and mechanisms of the lacing device of FIG. 4, except that. the ends of yarn from the skein and those of the lacing string are withdrawn out of the common, single outlet OP of the three passages Pl P3, as shown as four lines in FIG. 13, which corresponds to FIG. 5(B).

FIGS. 14 through 18 show a device for withdrawing the opposite ends of the yarn wound into the skein and guiding the ends to the inlet of the third passage P3 of the comb. In FIG. 14, a skein 8 of yarn having its starting and terminating ends Y1 and Y2 is shown wound on a reel. The withdrawing and guiding device comprises a first lever 81 having a hook at the outer end thereof which engages with the yarn ends Y1 and Y2 between the adjacent frames 82 of the reel and, while withdrawing the yarn, brings the yarn ends to the inlet IP3 of the third passage of the comb when the comb is in the lacing position, that is, moved into the skein as shown in FIG. 16.

A restricting bar has a pair of hooks 83 which hold the yarn ends at both sides of the point where the hook 81 engages and pulls the yarn ends upward.

second lever 84 has a hook at the outer end thereof which engages the mountain-shaped portion of the yarn ends below where they are engaged by the first hook 81 and pulls them laterally in the direction of an arrow 0 in FIG. 16. The purpose of this lateral pulling in first to obtain a sufficient length of the yarn end portion to be passed through the third passage in the comb and at the same time to bring the yarn ends as near as possible to the inlet IP3 of the third passage P3 of the comb, and secondly to enable gradual introduction of the yarn end portions Y1 and Y2 into the passage P3 from their outer ends first.

When the lever has thus pulled a sufficient length of the yarn laterally as shown in FIG. 16, the comb starts operation so that the yarn ends Y1 and Y2 are sucked into the passage P3 as the lever 84 is gradually returned in the direction of the arrow b to its original position, while a length of lacing string supplied from a suitable device such as shown in FIG. 6 has its opposite ends sucked into the passages P1 and P2 in the previously mentioned manner.

The ends of the yarn of the skein and those of the lacing string are knotted together as shown in FIG. 18 by a suitable device such as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIGS. 19 21 shows a momdified form U" of the unit or tooth shown in FIGS. 1 3. The tooth comprises two components 1 and 1 each having a courved grooved 3, 3 and side recesses S as in the previous embodiment.

In FIGS. 19 21, however, the tooth or unit is so constructed that the pointed end thereof can change its direction relative to the axis of the unit. Each of the tooth components comprises two portions, that is, a body portion 101 and a deflectable portion 102. The deflectable portion has a pointed end 103 and is secured by a screw 104 to the body portion so that it can be deflected to either sides for a desired angle 6 relative to the axis L of the body portion.

A groove 70 may be formed in this case in FIG. 11, if desired, to provide a third passage in the comb.

FIG. 22 shows a skein-dividing comb comprising a plurality, say, five teeth as shown in FIGS. 19 21. If all the teeth have their deflectable portions aligned with the respective body portions, the skein having a width W will be divided into four sections having widths a, b, c, and d, respectively. The widths a and d are much smaller than the widths b and c. However, if the pointed end portions of the two teeth U1 and U3 are deflected as shown by the dot-and-dash line, the skein can be divided into sections having the same width 2. Thus, by changing the deflected angle of the portion 102 it is possible to divided the skein into sections having the same or different desired widths.

It is desirable that the skein is laced at a plurality, say, three circumferentially spaced apart points thereof. FIG. 23 shows an arrangement for lacing the skein at a plurality of points on the circumference thereof. A support frame 90 has a arcuate arm 91, on which three lacing devices 92 as described in any of the abovementioned embodiments are mounted circumferentially equidistantly spaced apart from each other, with the pointed ends of the combs 93 being directed radially inwardly. A vacuum souorce 94 applies suction through pipes 95 to the lacing devices. A skein remover 96 is provided on the upper part of the arcuate arm 91.

The support frame 90 has wheels 97 which roll on rails 97 fixed to the floor and extending perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing sheet.

In order to bring a skein to be laced inside the arcuate arm 91, a rotatable arm 98 is carried on the upper end of a support column 99 so that the arm 98 can be rotated in direction of the arrow, that is, in the plane of the drawing sheet by a suitable drive 100 through, say, a chain-and-sprocket connection not shown but enclosed in the cover 105. To the opposite ends of the arm 98 there are mounted a pair of reels 106a and 10612 on each of which a skein 107a, 1071? is wound.

When the lacing devices have finished operation on the skein 107a, the support frame 90 is moved on the rails 97, with the remover 96 removing the laced skein 107a from the reel 106a, leaving the reel empty. Then the arm 98 is rotated 180 to bring the other skein 1071: to where the skein 107a was.

Then the support frame 90 is returned to the original position and while the next lacing operation is being performed, a new skein is wound on the empty real which is rotated by a suitable drive not shown through a gear connection 108.

What I claim is:

l. A method of lacing a skein of yarn, comprising: dividing the width of said skein into a plurality of section is at least one circumferential portion of said skein; forming a pair of air passages which extend serpentine with respect to each said section from one side of said skein transversely to the opposite side thereof, crossing each other between each adjacent two of said sections without interfering with each other; producing a pressure difference between the opposite sides of said passages; and supplying a length of lacing string to said passages so that said string is passed through said passages thereby lacing said skein.

2. The method of claim 1, further including knotting the ends of said string that has finished lacing said skein.

3. The method of claim 1, further including: forming a third passage extending across said skein; producing a pressure difference at the opposite sides of said third passage simultaneously with said production of a pressure difference at the opposite sides of said pair of passages; and supplying the opposite end portions of the yarn of said skein to said third passage so that said skein yarn end portions are passed through said third passage.

4. The method of claim 3, further including knotting the ends of said string that has finished lacing said skein together with said skein yarn ends.

5. Apparatus for lacing a skein of yarn, comprising a plurality of wedge-like teeth each comprising a pair of tooth components each having a surface i separable contact with the opposed surface of the other component, each said component being provided on its opposite lateral surfaces with a recess and on said contacting surface with a curved groove which crosses the curved groove on the other component with means for preventing mutual interference of said grooves at said crossing when said components are put together, while permitting a lacing string to be removable from said grooves when said tooth components are separated, said plurality of teeth being arranged side by side like a comb so that said grooves from a pair of passages which cross each other and extend serpentine from one lateral side of said comb tansversely to the opposite lat eral side thereof; means for reciprocating said teeth relative to a skein to be laced; means for supplying a length of lacing string to said passages; and means for producing a pressure difference between the opposite sides of said passages so that said lacing string is passed through said passages thereby lacing said skein.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein one of said components of each said tooth is provided on said contacting surface with a second groove, so that said plurality of teeth arranged side by side has a third passage; and wherein said pressure-difference producing means acts on said third passage; and further including means for supplying the opposite ends of the yarn of said skein to said third passage.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further including means for knotting the ends of said string that has been passed through said serpentine passages together with the ends of said skein yarn that has been passed through said third passage.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said pressure difference producing means includes a pipe inside which said knotting means is disposed.

9. The apparatus ofo claim 8, further including means for positively removing said knotted ends from inside said pipe.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each said tooth component comprise a body portion and a forward portion which is deflectable relative to the longitudinal axis of second body portion.

11. Apparatus for lacing a skein of yarn at a plurality of places at the circumference thereof, comprising: a

plurality of lacing apparatuses as defined in claim means for providing a skein of yarn to be laced; means for supporting said apparatuses around said skein circumferentially spaced apart from each other.

12. Apparatus for lacing a skein of yarn at a plurality of places at the circumference thereof, comprising a plurality of lacing apparatuses as defined in claim 6; means for providing a skein of yarn to be laced; means for supporting said apparatuses around said skein circumferentially spaced apart from each other.

13. The apparatus of claim 5 further including means for knotting the ends of said string that has been passed through said serpentine passages.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said pressure difference producing means includes a pipe inside which said knotting means is disposed.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further including means for positively removing said knotting ends from inside pipe.

16. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said each tooth component comprise a body portion and a forward portion which is deflectable relative to the longitudinal axis of said body portion.

17. Apparatus for lacing a skein of yarn at a'pluralitiy of places at the circumference thereof, comprising a plurality of lacing apparatuses as defined in claim 16; means for providing a skein of yarn to be laced; means for supporting said apparatuses around said skein circumferentially spaced apart from each other.

18. Apparatus for lacing a skein of yarn at a plurality of places at the circumference thereof, comprising: a plurality of places at the circumference thereof, comprising: a plurality of lacing apparatuses as defined in claim 5; means for providing a skein of yarn to be laced; means for supporting said apparatuses around said skein circumferentially spaced apart from each other.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said skein providing means comprises an arm provided at the opposite ends thereof with a pair of reels on each of which a skein of yarn is removably wound; and means for moving said arm to alternately bring said reels into lacing position relative to said supporting means. 

1. A method of lacing a skein of yarn, comprising: dividing the width of said skein into a plurality of sections in at least one circumferential portion of said skein; forming a pair of air passages which extend serpentine with respect to each said section from one side of said skein transversely to the opposite side thereof, crossing each other between each adjacent two of said sections without interfering with each other; producing a pressure difference between the opposite sides of said passages; and supplying a length of lacing string to said passages so that said string is passed through said passages thereby lacing said skein.
 1. A method of lacing a skein of yarn, comprising: dividing the width of said skein into a plurality of sections in at least one circumferential portion of said skein; forming a pair of air passages which extend serpentine with respect to each said section from one side of said skein transversely to the opposite side thereof, crossing each other between each adjacent two of said sections without interfering with each other; producing a pressure difference between the opposite sides of said passages; and supplying a length of lacing string to said passages so that said string is passed through said passages thereby lacing said skein.
 2. The method of claim 1, further including knotting the ends of said string that has finished lacing said skein.
 3. The method of claim 1, further including: forming a third passage extending across said skein; producing a pressure difference at the opposite sides of said third passage simultaneously with said production of a pressure difference at the opposite sides of said pair of passages; and supplying the opposite end portions of the yarn of said skein to said third passage so that said skein yarn end portions are passed through said third passage.
 4. The method of claim 3, further including knotting the ends of said string that has finished lacing said skein together with said skein yarn ends.
 5. Apparatus for lacing a skein of yarn, comprising a plurality of wedge-like teeth each comprising a pair of tooth components each having a surface in separable contact with the opposed surface of the other component, each said component being provided on its opposite lateral surfaces with a recess and on said contacting surface with a curved groove which crosses the curved groove on the other component, with means for preventing mutual interference of said grooves at said crossing when said components are put together, while permitting a lacing string to be removable from said grooves when said tooth components are separated, said plurality of teeth being arranged side by side like a comb so that said grooves form a pair of passages which cross each other and extend serpentine from one lateral side of said comb transversely to the opposite lateral side thereof; means for reciprocating said teeth relative to a skein to be laced; means for supplying a length of lacing string to said passages; and means for producing a pressure difference between the opposite sides of said passages so that said lacing string is passed through said passages thereby lacing said skein.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein one of said components of each said tooth is provided on said contacting surface with a second groove, so that said plurality of teeth arranged side by side has a third passage; and wherein said pressure-difference producing means acts on said third passage; and further including means for supplying the opposite ends of the yarn of said skein to said third passage.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, further including means for knotting the ends of said string that has been passed through said serpentine passages together with the ends of said skein yarn that has been passed through said third passage.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said pressure difference producing means includes a pipe inside which said knotting means is disposed.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, further including means for positively removing said knotted ends from inside said pipe.
 10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each said tooth component comprise a body portion and a forward portion which is deflectable relative to the longitudinal axis of second body portion.
 11. APparatus for lacing a skein of yarn at a plurality of places at the circumference thereof, comprising: a plurality of lacing apparatuses as defined in claim 10; means for providing a skein of yarn to be laced; means for supporting said apparatuses around said skein circumferentially spaced apart from each other.
 12. Apparatus for lacing a skein of yarn at a plurality of places at the circumference thereof, comprising a plurality of lacing apparatuses as defined in claim 6; means for providing a skein of yarn to be laced; means for supporting said apparatuses around said skein circumferentially spaced apart from each other.
 13. The apparatus of claim 5 further including means for knotting the ends of said string that has been passed through said serpentine passages.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said pressure difference producing means includes a pipe inside which said knotting means is disposed.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further including means for positively removing said knotting ends from inside said pipe.
 16. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said each tooth component comprise a body portion and a forward portion which is deflectable relative to the longitudinal axis of said body portion.
 17. Apparatus for lacing a skein of yarn at a plurality of places at the circumference thereof, comprising a plurality of lacing apparatuses as defined in claim 16; means for providing a skein of yarn to be laced; means for supporting said apparatuses around said skein circumferentially spaced apart from each other.
 18. Apparatus for lacing a skein of yarn at a plurality of places at the circumference thereof, comprising: a plurality of places at the circumference thereof, comprising: a plurality of lacing apparatuses as defined in claim 5; means for providing a skein of yarn to be laced; means for supporting said apparatuses around said skein circumferentially spaced apart from each other. 